The Ministry of Health announced on March 26 that it secured an additional 1,500 kilograms of cyanide, a highly dangerous chemical that continues to be used illegally in mining activities in the Crucitas area.
The ministry said this latest seizure confirms the persistence of illegal activity and highlights the need to strengthen control measures. Officials also warned that storage tanks for cyanide in the country are now completely full, which puts increasing pressure on institutional capacity to manage such hazardous substances.
In response to these risks, the Executive Branch is promoting Bill No. 24.717, which aims to regulate mining activity sustainably and protect both public health and the environment. However, officials noted that progress on this legislation has stalled, leaving the country exposed to dangers associated with improper handling of cyanide.
According to the ministry’s statement, legislative factions from Partido Liberación Nacional and Frente Amplio have blocked progress on this initiative. This lack of advancement has prevented Costa Rica from having a comprehensive regulatory tool to address these issues.
“Each day without advances in decision-making increases risks for people and the environment. It is essential to strengthen inter-institutional actions and move forward with solutions that guarantee protection for people’s health and for nature,” said officials from the Ministry of Health.
